Fort Bliss volunteers plan Season of Giving fair

If you've ever wondered how to give back to those in need during the holiday season but didn't know where to begin, a Fort Bliss organization just might have the answer.

The Fort Bliss Army Volunteer Corps will have its first-ever Season of Giving Community Service Fair on Nov. 2 at Freedom Crossing shopping center.

The event is designed to show both Fort Bliss and El Paso community members how they can volunteer during the holiday season, said Tephanie Hopper, manager of the Fort Bliss Army Volunteer Corps.

More than 20 nonprofit organizations and government agencies will have information booths at the event.

Attendees can also learn about the Army Volunteer Corps program. At Fort Bliss, this program has about 3,000 registered volunteers. Fort Bliss soldiers, family members, retired military, Department of Defense civilian employees and El Paso community members can participate.

The Army Volunteer Corps recruits and trains volunteers to serve both on and off the installation, trains volunteer managers and coordinates community events and projects, Hopper said.

"We want to make sure that people know how they can help out during Christmas and Thanksgiving," Hopper said. "People want to know how they can give back as a volunteer, who needs some help and what agencies need help with things like toys."

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Attendees at the fair can get a head start on their holiday giving by bringing a nonperishable food item or a new unwrapped toy. The collected items will be donated to agencies that participate in the event.

Those who donate at least one item will be entered into a drawing for several Visa gift cards, which will be donated by Balfour Beatty Communities.

"We are so excited about this event," Hopper said. "We want to make sure that people know that this isn't just a Fort Bliss event, but is an El Paso community event. When we say anyone can attend, we mean anyone."

Organizations that will attend include the Salvation Army, Army Emergency Relief, Armed Services YMCA, the Reynolds Home, the YWCA and the H.O.P.E. Institute.

Entertainment will be provided by the 1st Armored Division Band and the Child, Youth and School Services Choir.

John Martin, business director for the Salvation Army's El Paso Area Command, said his organization will attend for two reasons.

"As the holidays approach, people tend to get stressed for different reasons," Martin said. "We'd like to let people know what services we have available for both the military and nonmilitary. This includes financial assistance, our shelter and food pantry, among other programs.

"The second aspect is we'd like people to know about volunteer opportunities," Martin added. "One example is we have our annual Thanksgiving meal in which we serve about 1,000 meals. We need volunteers that day and for several weeks in advance."